HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY, September 10.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8597, 12 September 1889, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY, September 10.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. PAYMENT OP HONOBABIUK. Sir J. HALL brought up the report of the Select Committee appointed to inquire into the stoppage of a member's honorarium by the Treasury. The report was to the effect that the Government be requested to take immediate steps for setting aside the paymaster's order. It also stated that the honorarium of any member was not attachable by a process of any court. The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON moved that the report be considered to-morrow. Mr SEDDON moved an amenJment that as the matter was one of great urgency it should bo considered forthwith. Tho SPEAKER considered the matter too important to be dealt with offhand, and he suggested that the Premier's motion would probably be the best one to adopt. Mr SEDDON accepted the Speaker's suggestion. After considerable disoussion the Premier's motion was agreed to. DEATH OF THE HON. W. HOBINSOST. The Hon Sir H. A. ATKINSON said the House would hear with regret of the death of r very old settler and a member of the Legislative Council —he referred to the Hon. W. Robinson, who expired yesterday. In accordance with the usual custom, and as a mark of their respect to the deceased gentleman, he moved that the House adjourn till 7.30. Mr BALLANCE seconded the motion, which was agreed to, and the House rose at 3.30 p.m.

Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. PUBLIC BEVENUES ACT, The PREMIER moved the second reading of the Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill, and explained that its principal objects were to appoint a d«puty auditor-general in the absence of the Auditor-general, and to carry out the recommendation of the Public Accounts, Committee as to the investment of trust funds being controlled by a board, one-third of the Savings Bank deposits being invested in London—a course which, he said, had always been followed by the present Government, It also provided that the name of deficiency bills be altered to that of exchequer bills. After some discussion the second reading was carried by 46 to 29. The Public Debts Sinking Fund Aot Amendment Bill, which provides machinery in connection with the Public Revenues Bill, was read a second time; and on its committal several motions to report progress were lost. The PREMIER said it was impossible to proceed that evening in the face of the opposition shown by a minority. The obstructions showed clearly the necessity for reform in their procedure. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said the Government had encouraged obstruction, inasmuch as the Premier, in moving the second reading, had shown that the measure had not his full sympathy. The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON explained that the measure was introduced in consequence of a resolution of the House, and it was not necessary that the Government should be in sympathy with the measure. After further discussion, the motion by the Premier to report progress was carried by 32 to 29. The Public Revenues Bill was committed, but progress was reported. MISCELLANEOUS. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act 1887 Suspension Bill, and Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill were read a first time. The Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Claims Bill was read a third time and passed. Progress was reported on the Thorndon Esplanade Bill. Ths House adjourned at 2.5 a.m. Wednesday, Septembeb 11, The House met at 2.30 p.m. A DISSOLUTION. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE gave notice on going into Oommittee of Supply he would move—" That in the opinion of this House it is expedient there should be a dissolution of Parliament after the termination of the present seeaion, and that the new Parliament should meet for the despatch of business aa soon as possible after the expiration of the present financial year. ministerial' statement. The PREMIER made a statement to the effect that the Government intended proceeding with the Public Health Bill, Licensing Act Amendment Bill, Rating Bill, VPestportNgakawau Railway Extension Bill, Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill (No. 2), West Coast Settlements Bill, Land Transfer, Native Land Courts. Act Amendment Bill, Property Tax Bill (fixing the tax for the year), and Public Revenues Bill. He saw no reason why the whole of the business should not be finished by Thursday night. THE HONORARIUM. Consideration of the honorarium report of the Honorarium Committee was resumed by The PREMIER, who moved for leave to bring in a bill of a retrospective character providing that the honorarium should be unassailable in law or equity. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE thought the House should first adopt the report of the committee. Mr SEDDON moved as an amendment that the Speaker's order be given effect to, and that in order to ensure it, a bill be brought in to deal with the question. After considerable debate the Premier's motion was lost by 59 to 13

WESTPOnT-NQAKAWAU BAILWAY. The Hon. E. MITCHELSON moved the second reading of the Weatport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Bill, to extend the railway seven miles, at a cost of £3300, Mr WITHY supported the bill, and thought the money better spent on a railway than on harbour works. Mr HUTCHISON moved as an amendment— " That while recognising the importance of stimulating competition in the development of our coalfields, the present is not an opportune time for entering upon public works. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

Evenin* Sittimo. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. WEiTPOET-NQAKAWAU BAILWAY. Mr SAONOBRS supported the bill, and said it would bo absolutely wrong and unwise of the House to do anything that would prevent coalfields to bo opened up by railways from being properly developed. The motion for the second reading was caeried by 33 to 23, and the amendment lost. The House then divided on the motion for the committal of the bill presently, which was carried by 35 to 22. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. Tho Hon. T. FERGUS moved the second reading of tho Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Aot Amendment Bill, to remedy a few detects in the act of 1885; also to enable the West! and Charitable Aid Board to levy a rate on the Westland County Council. —Tho motion was agreed to.

WHST COAST (NORTH ISLAND) KESEBVES. The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON moved the second rending of "Tbe West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Act 1887 Suspension Bill," to suspend tbe operation of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act and or other purposes. Mr TAIPUA supported the bill. Mr HUTCHISON opposed it at some length, and moved that it be read that day six months. The Hon. Mr Ballance, Messrs Monk and Fish also spoke on the bill. The motion for the second reading was agreed to by 53 to 5. WESTPORT-NGAKAWAU RAILTVAT BILL. On the motion for going into committee on the Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Bill, Mr FISH moved that the bill be committed that day week, and spoke at great length against it. He urged the Government to withdraw the bill for this session with a view to bringing down a comprehensive measure for this and other lines next session. Mr HUTCHISON also strongly opposed the committal of the bill. Mr O'CONOR disclaimed having any other connection with the railway proposed to be constructed except that he was member for the district, and bad always taken the greatest possible interest in the development of the coal fields. He strongly resented the innuendoes made against him by Messrs Hutchison aad Fish in connection with this matter, and said that those members who were stonewalling this bill would be responsible for the monopoly that existed in coal. Mr Fish's amendment was then lost on the voices, and the bill was committed, but progress was repotted after passing clause I. in cosiifrrrEE. The West Coast Settlement Reserve Bill and Land Transfer Bill passed through committee without amendment. The Native Land Court Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 10.—Survey charges may be apportioned.at any time. Mr Taipua moved that the portion of the clause providing that an order for survey fees shall have the effect of a mortgage of land be struck out.—Lost by 26 to 22, and the clause was passed. [Left sitting.]